Wenger has attributed Podolski’s lack to playing time to a short pre-season campaign following Germany’s win at the World Cup but is adamant that reports linking the forward with a move away have been “fabricated”.

"He plays a position where there is a big competition. He came very late from his holidays [in the summer]. He started after his team-mates and was not good physically,” Wenger told beIN Sports.

“It’s not established at all that he will leave at Christmas. It was me who sets the price and it [Podolski’s reported valuation] doesn’t correspond at all to his price. He is not for sale and there is no offer.

“Today's newspapers have an advantage. They know more than us. But the story is completely fabricated.”